Stop Buying So Many Dog Toys & Focus on Engagement
OK I know the title might be a bit harsh, but hear me out. How many toys do you go through with your dog? If you’re like most of us the answer is A LOT. Trying to find that perfect toy that will keep your dog entertained for hours on end.
If I have learned one thing over the years it’s that yes the quality of the toy matters, but HOW it’s used matters for engagement. I could buy my dog 10 new toys from the store, but chances are after a few hours the novelty of “oh something exciting and new” wears off.
So to prevent that from happening I do two things; I rotate my dog’s toys, and I have a routine for interactive play. With this method of quality over quantity you can prevent your dog from getting bored with all 10+ of their toys, and save money by not having to buy new toys every single month.
Rotate Your Dogs Toys
My number one tip for making dog toys last and stay exciting is to rotate them for your dog. If your dog has access to the same exact toys day after day they will get bored of them eventually.
Instead of having all toys available at all times, keep 3-4 out at a time, and rotate them once a week.
My dog goes bonkers each week when it’s time to “pick the new toys,” which really just consists of me opening the closet and letting her pick out a couple of toys that had been out of view for awhile. Toys that have technically been around the house for years become exciting again.
Have Some Interactive Toys
There’s nothing wrong with chew toys or those designed to keep your dog busy by themselves for awhile, but adding some interactive toys and activities into the mix will keep your dog mentally stimulated. My favorite interactive toys are tug toys for some quick physical exercise, and a snuffle mat to keep my dog mentally engaged by “working” for their food.
Tug is not only physically exhausting, it also helps teach your dog some basic manners such as “the game ends when your teeth touch my skin.”
Now I’ve always been a fan of food dispensing toys such as Kongs, but snuffle mats are my favorite because they’re stationary and easy to use for every meal.
Tug and snuffle mats work perfectly for my dog, but some dogs go nuts for games of fetch or a flirt pole. Experiment with your dog to find out which activities they love the most and add those into their daily routine.
It might not seem like much, but just adding in a few quick tug games a day as well as having your dog work for one of their meals does wonders. It helps keep them physically and mentally stimulated, and helps prevent destructive behaviors that arise our of boredom.
What Are Your Favorite Dog Toys?
What toys does your dog absolutely love? Do you rotate your dogs toys to keep them interesting longer? What are your favorite food dispensing toys?
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